Selecting Projects for Accelerated Bridge Construction In January of 2017, the Engineering Services and Operations Division Directors issued a memo instructing Districts to consider accelerated bridge construction (ABC) methodologies. To assist in determining which bridges are best suited for ABC a three stage process has been developed to provide a rational, consistent, objective, and defensible method of selecting appropriate projects. The three stage process should be used as a tool to evaluate the suitability of ABC but should not be viewed as an absolute control in decision making. Other considerations not incorporated in the process may be significant in decision making for any individual project at the discretion of the district. Complete details for each of the 3 stages is included on the Bridge Office ABC website at: http://www.mndot.gov/bridge/abc/ A brief summary of each of the three stages is provided below including a process flowchart: Stage 1 Stage 1 includes an initial screening and ABC rating based on a set of quantifiable, objective measures which includes; User costs (in the form of daily vehicle operating costs) Average annual daily traffic (on and under the bridge) Heavy commercial average annual daily traffic (on and under the bridge) Detour length Traffic density, measured as (vehicles per day) divided by roadway width on the bridge Each trunk highway bridge in the state (excluding culverts, railroad, and pedestrian bridges) has been evaluated, and scores for each of the above criteria were summed to form an overall weighted score, which was normalized to a recommendation of Yes or regarding further consideration of ABC. Bridges with a Yes outcome should be evaluated in Stage 2 for further consideration of ABC. Bridges with an outcome of are only evaluated in Stage 2 if requested by the District, who may be aware of unique circumstances that may make ABC a viable alternative. When beginning to scope new bridges, bridge replacements, or major bridge rehabilitation projects the results of the Stage 1 analysis should be considered and the results of the Stage 1 analysis should be included on the bridge page of the MnDOT Project Scoping Worksheets and the Bridge Office Form A (available at http://ihub/bridge/design/pdf/planning-section-scoping-worksheet-form-a.docx) submitted to the Bridge Preliminary Plans Unit (for new or replacement bridges). The result of the Stage 1 analysis for each bridge in each district (excluding culverts, railroad, and pedestrian bridges) is available on the Bridge Office website. The Stage 1 results are also included in the BRIM spreadsheet and on the "Structure Inventory" sheet (see last page for example) for each bridge. Stage 2 Stage 2 of the ABC selection process allows the Project Manager to consider issues that are much more subjective and site specific than those identified in Stage 1. Also, since accelerated construction techniques and methodologies often involve traffic detours, lane or road closures and extended work hours, there are compromises and trade-offs inherent in such projects. Therefore, close coordination with the District Traffic Engineer, Construction Resident Engineer and District Bridge Engineer is required to complete the Stage 2 assessment. The Stage 2 assessment form can be downloaded from the Bridge Office website. The District Project Manager (with input from appropriate subject experts) is responsible for completing the Stage 2 assessment before the project goes into the State Transportation Investment Plan (STIP). ABC Memo 2
A sampling of the questions in the Stage 2 tool include: Is it likely that this project will include complex traffic control schemes, long detours, extended duration, or significant user impacts due to bridge construction? Is bridge construction on the critical path of this project? Could additional width be needed on culverts, bridges, or shoulders to maintain traffic on the existing route or the detour route? For each of the questions, a response of Yes,, Possibly, or t Applicable (N/A) is recorded. The more questions that are answered with Yes or Possibly, the more likely that accelerated bridge construction techniques may provide a viable solution. The responses in the second stage assessment also help in beginning to identify which ABC techniques and/or alternative contracting methods may be most appropriate. After thoroughly reviewing the responses to the Stage 2 questions, the District Project Manager, with assistance from other appropriate experts and the Bridge Office will make a final determination regarding whether or not further consideration of ABC is warranted. The District has complete discretion in making the final decision regarding whether or not ABC techniques are included in a bridge project (if a bridge project is to be funded with Statewide Performance Program bridge (SPPB) funds, the SPPB Program Manager needs to be included in the final decision of whether or not to use ABC techniques), and is also responsible for documenting final decisions in Stages 2 and 3 and for sending copies of the completed Stage 2 form to the Bridge Office Preliminary Plans Unit with the original document retained by the Project Manager. The entire Stage 2 process should be finalized and the completed Stage 2 form sent to the Bridge Office before a bridge project is entered into the STIP. Stage 3 If the conclusion of the Stage 2 assessment indicates that further consideration of ABC is warranted, the Project Manager will work with the Bridge Office Preliminary Plans Unit, Bridge Final Design Unit, Regional Bridge Construction Engineer, and other specialty disciplines (District Traffic, Resident Construction Engineer, and Office of Construction and Innovative Contracting) to discuss project specific details and move forward in selecting appropriate ABC alternatives and techniques. This stage also considers alternative contracting methods that may help accelerate construction or reduce work zone impacts, including: A+B, lane rental, no excuse bonuses, incentives/disincentives, design build, and construction manager general contractor (CMGC). The goal of the Stage 3 process is to identify a final construction method, technique or contract administration method, or a combination of these methods. Information regarding the Stage 3 assessment can be downloaded from the Bridge Office website. The Bridge Office website also includes an extensive list of links and other information regarding potential ABC options. Additional Information All of the tools described above are available on the Bridge Office website, along with additional background information, and a list of bridges for each district that have a Stage 1 outcome of Yes and are scheduled to be let in the next 5-10 years. ABC Roles & Responsibilities The following is a guide to the roles and responsibilities for successful scoping and implementation of ABC projects: District Project Manager (PM): As the primary leader of project development the PM is responsible for reviewing the Stage 1 ABC outcome ( Yes,, or N/A ) as soon as a bridge project is identified for scoping. If the Stage 1 result is Yes, the PM should immediately begin completing the Stage 2 assessment, involving the necessary experts as required. If the Stage 2 assessment recommends further development of ABC alternatives, the PM is responsible for scheduling and facilitating meetings to compare ABC alternatives (Stage 3) and making final recommendations. The PM is also responsible for finalizing the Stage 2 form and sending the completed form to the Bridge Office prior to adding a bridge project to the STIP. ABC Memo 3
District Bridge Engineer: Provide support to the PM throughout the scoping phase including assistance with the Stage 2 and 3 assessments. Consider the use of ABC during the scoping phase (site visits, existing bridge assessment, etc.) District Traffic and Resident Construction Engineer: Provide support to the PM throughout the scoping phase including assistance with the Stage 2 and 3 assessments. Bridge Office Regional Bridge Engineer: Consider the use of ABC during the scoping phase (site visits, existing bridge assessment, etc.). Provide support and expertise to the Bridge Office Preliminary and Scoping Engineer positions for Stages 2 and 3. During final design through construction, provide support and expertise to designers and construction staff. Bridge Office Scoping Engineers: Prior to the project entering the STIP, help PM and District Bridge Engineer scope the bridge needs and identify options, costs, traffic staging, construction scheduling for bridge rehabilitation and replacement work. If requested by the District Bridge Engineer or PM, provide support with the Stage 2 assessment. Bridge Scoping Coordinator: Provide support to PM and District Bridge Engineer throughout scoping phase and provide guidance on Stage 2 & 3. Develop and maintain ABC resource information. Aid in scheduling & facilitating meetings with the Bridge Office and the PM/District. Bridge Office Preliminary Plans Unit: Provide support to the PM throughout the scoping and preliminary design phase including assistance with the Stage 2 & 3 assessments. Consider the use of ABC during the scoping phase (site visits, existing bridge assessment, etc.) Bridge Office Final Design Unit: Provide support to the PM throughout Stage 3 and final plan preparation. Bridge Office Estimating Unit: Provide preliminary and final cost estimates during Stages 2 and 3. Should be aware of the Stage 1 outcome prior to preparing the first preliminary cost estimate. ABC Memo 4
Accelerated Bridge Construction Decision Process Flowchart Prior to adding a bridge project to the Capital Highway Investment Plan (CHIP). ABC Stage 1 Rating or N/A ABC Stage 1 Rating Yes Does ABC mitigate critical issues not identified in Stage 1? Yes Project Manager completes Stage 2 Assessment Will likely need input from traffic, construction, and bridge experts Skip Stage 2 and 3. PM must complete Stage 2 Assessment prior to adding a bridge project to the State Transportation Investment Plan (STIP) Stage 2 Assessment concludes ABC should be further evaluated Yes Project Manager facilitates Stage 3 discussions Submit a copy of the completed Stage 2 assessment to the Bridge Office Preliminary Plans Unit (MS 610). Time and cost estimates likely needed for each alternative Stage 3 identifies viable ABC alternatives Yes Use conventional construction Select final ABC alternative
ABC Stage 1 Conclusion